Electrolytic cell



l. CRANSTN AND W. D. LE BAR. 4

ELECTROLYTIC CELL.

APPLICATION FILED ocT. I9. 1920.

1 ,398,784. Patented Nov. 29,'1921.

liv; .j J 10 8 8 A TTURNEYS UNITED STA'I'ES PATElilT OFFICE..

JOHN CRAN STON', 0F TRENTON, AND WILLIAM D. IIE BAR4 0F WYANDOTIE, MICHIGAN.

ELECTROLYTIC CELL.

Specification of Letters atent.

Patented Nov. 29, 1921.

Application filed Gctober 19, 1920. Serial No. 418,003.

To all whom t 'may concern.'

Be it known that we, JOHN CRANs'roN, a citizen of Canada, and a resident of Trenton, in the county of lVayne and State ot Michigan, and WILLIAM D. LnBAn, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of VyandOtte, in the county oi' Wayne and State of Michigan, have invented a new and Improved Electrolytic Cell, oi which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to electrolytic cells, and has particular reference to one adapted for the production oi chlorin and alkaline liquor.

An object or' the invention is the provision of a cell which is simple, compact and eflicient and is capable of ready assembly and disassembly.

Another object resides in the provision ot means whereby the anode structure can be adjusted relative to the other parts oi the device so that the functioning of the anodes can be considerably prolonged.

A further object resides in the provision of means whereby the chlorin, the alkaline liquor, and the hydrogen gas evolved during t-he operation of the cell can be very readily collected.

A still further object resides in the particular construction and arrangement or parts hereinafter described and claimed and shown in the accompanying drawings.

In general the invention comprises an electrolytic cell having a body portion of some impervious material in which are suspended a plurality of anodes immersed in a suitable electrolyte. A portion of each side of the body portion is cut away, and against this cut-away portion a suitable diaphragm is placed, this diaphragm being backed. by the metallic sheet serving as the cathode. The cathode at its lower end is provided with an integral portion thereof forming a trough or other suitable receptacle for the collection of the alkaline liquor formed.

The sides of the upper portion of the body of the cell are dependent far enough into the electrolyte to form a partition or ceiling wall between the anode and cathode chambers, whereby the gas formed in the anode chamber is separated.

The top of the body portion is provided with a plurality of slots through which the several anodes are introduced. The anodes are mounted in sets, forming a plurality of metallic plates which are readily attached to the top of the body portion and are connected thereto in a gas-'tight manner. rThe removal oi? these plates with the sets of anodes thereon permits the Jfaces oit the anodes to be adjusted and reversed relative to the faces of the cathodes, so that when an anode has become eaten away by the electrolytic action to such an extent as to impair its etliciency, it may be readily removed from the cell and turned around to present a new and undefective face to the cathode.

A further feature of the invention comprises a sheet ot meta] or other suitable substance .which depends from the top ot the body portion into the trough or receptacle at the bottom oi? the cathode structure to provide a sealed chamber in which hydrogen may be collected and from which the hydrogen may be drawn oil' at will.

Other features oil our invention will be apparent from a consideration oi' the description and claims shown in connection with the accompanying drawings.

The invention is illustrated in the drawings, ot which- Figure l is a side elevation;

l? ig. 9. is a plan view;

Fig. 3 is a sectional. view taken on the line 3--3 of Fig. l; and

Fig. 4 is a detail oi' the cathode structure.

As shown in the drawings, the invention comprises a cell body portion l in the form of a rectangular' block of impervious material, such as slate, concrete or stone. This block along its top face is provided with two longitudinally extending, spaced slot portions 2 and 3. The depth of these slots extends down to the lower portion of the body l, and at this place the side walls of the block are out away. The side walls t and 5 of the block extend downwardly to a point which is designed to be below the level of a suitable electrolyte or fluid 6. The slots 2 and 3 are separated from each other by an integral partition or wall 7. By reason of the extension of side walls 4land into the liquid electrolyte (i and the provision of the intervening wall 7, it will be noticed that above the electrolyte a pair ol chambers is provided. Into these chambers anodes 8 are adapted to extend, the lower ends oi' the anodes bein g immersed in the liquid electrolyte to a proper depth.

A plurality ot these anodes 8 are disposed in each of the chambers formed by the V22, so that any gas slotted portions E2 and 3 and are, in sets, connected in any suitable fashion to metallic plates 9 and 1() which extend along the top of the slotted portions 2 and 8 and engage the face of the bloclrv 1 adjacent the openings of these slotted portions and are suitably ifa-stened to the bloclr portion by any suitable means, 'such as screws 11 and 12. The lower faces of these metallic plates may be provided with some sort" of paint or enamel or other coating, which is adapted to protect.

the metallic lower surfaces of the plates from the action ot acid or formed within the chamber oi' the cell.

lt will be observed that since the anodes are connected in sets to the metallic plates above mentioned., these sets may be readily removed. with the plates from the cell. The reason tor'this ready remo' il Will be apparent from a consideration oi the hereinafter describedoperation of the machine.

yThe upper portion oi' the block 1 is provided with outwardly extending ilange portions 13 and 14%,' and disposed along the sides of the block 1, particularly adjacent the cut-away portions mentioned above, are asbestos diaphragms 15 which are baclred by metallic plates 16 serving as cathodes. These metallic plates 1G are preferably provided With a number et slots or periorations 17, as clearly shown in Fig. a, particularly in that part of the cathode 16 adjacent the cutaway portions of the block 1. To the cathode 16 is connected a suitable terminal bar 18 which may extend upwardly through a suitable aperture in the flange portions 13 and 111; and may be Ysuitably sealed therein.

in any desired manner. rilhe upper end of the terminal bar 18 may be connected to suitable electrical circuit Wires. Y

Particularly in F ig. 3 it Willbe noted that the lower end oi the cathode 16 is turned up, as shown at 19, 'to liorm a trough, the ends oi which, such as 20, are turned in and provided to close the ends of the trough. 1t will be also noted that the cut-away portions of the bloclr 1 are noW closed by the disposition thcreagainst of the diaphragm 15 and the cathode 16. This provides that the inner portion of the bloclr 1 forms a chamber containing the electrolyte 6 and the anodes 8, in which chamber the clectrolytic action takes place.

Suitably fastened to the outside olf the `flange portions 13 and 1liA and along its edges to the body portion of the bloclr 1, on each side ther-eci"- is a metallic plate 21 at the lower end oli 'which is adapted to extend don/n into the trough 19 and form a seal with any Vliquor which may be collected therein. Between this plate 21, the cathode 16 and the body portion of the block 1 there is, therefore, termed a chamber generated above the surface oit the liquor in the trough 19 can be in contact with the cathode 16.

-that the diaphragm 15, the cathode 16 and the plate 21, alone` their edges, are provided with a plurality ol.i aperturesv which, when these parts are in their proper position, are alined With. each other; and through these alined apertures fastening devices, such as bolts 22, extend, and through the body portion oi the bloclr 1, to tasten the various parts to the block 1 in a simple and eiiicient manner.

It Will also be observed from Figs. 1 and 2 that a passageQl is provided 'from one end of the upper portion of the interior chamber 'of the cell, whereby any gas formed therein may be led oil". The upper end ciz the block portion, at the opposite end from the passage 23, is furthermore, provided with a passage 241 leading to the inner chain ber above the normal level of the electrolyte, so that more electrolyte can be added thereto at will. I

In the operation of the device, assuming the anodes, which are preferably made oi graphite, are in place in sets attached to their metallic supporting plates and these plates are suitably fastened to the top Ytace oit the block 1. The electrolyte having been placed Within the inner chamber at the proper level, an electric current now being` passed 'from the source of power, through the anode, the electrolyte and the cathode, causes an electrolytic action. The solution generally used as an electrolyte is a brine solution, for example, asaturated solution ot sodium chlorid. The passage ot electric current through this electrolyte results in the :formation of chlorin gas above the level ot the electrolyte Within the inner chamber, and the generation or' sodium hydroxid or an alkaline liquor as the electrolyte permeates through the diaphragm 15 and comes This caustic liquor passes through the cells or apertures 17 of the cathode 16 and down the outer tace thereof into the trough 19, Where it is collected. A suitable pipe, such as 25, may

he connected to an end of the trough 19 to lead oil the alkaline liquor, as desired Hydrogen generated in the process'niay tend to separate out l'rom the allraliiie liquor :in the trough 19, and .tor this reason the end oit the plate 21 dips into the liquor to form a scaled chamber above the level the liquor, in which the hydrogen can be collected. This gas .may then be passed Voli' by any suitable pipe connection (not shown). lllhen the electrolyte becomes reduced the degree ot' its concentration, more elecn trolyte may be introduced through the passage 24; above mentioned. t will be noticed that a substantial portion ot electrolytic action takes place between the cathode 91 and one tace oit each of the anodes whichv lies lll adjacent thereto. In time this electrolytic process will result in this face of the anode being' eaten away whereby the path ot the electric current is increased, thereby increasing the resistance olf the path and resultingv in the necessity for the application oi a larger potential to the cell. To eliminate the necessity for this increase of voltage to the cell., we have provided the above-men tion ed anode structure. Therefore, when the outer faces ot' the sets of anodes adjacent the cathode surfaces become detective, for the reason. above mentioned, we loosen the connection between the plates 9 and l0 and the upper portion ot the block l and remove the plates 9 and l0 with the sets of anodes thereon from the cell. By turningthese plates around, with their sets ot anodes thereon, we are able to present to the cathode surfaces in this new position fresh, una'llected faces ot' the anodes which previously had been disposed away from the cathode surfaces. By this simple arrangement of parts we can use a plurality of anodes over a longer period of time in the operation of the cell than heretofore has been possible.

Qur structure, furthermore, provides a simple, gas-tight chamber between the anode and cathode structures in which the chlorid gas generated may he collected. Furthermore, our invention is advantageous in that a simple stamped sheet metal cathode not only acts as this electrode but at its lower end Jormed into a trough portion to collect the alkaline liquor formed during the process.

W at we claim is:

l. An electrode comprising a metallic plate, and a trough turned up on the lower end ci? the plate from the metal ot' the plate and adapted to receive liquid.

2. .rl-.n electrode comprising a metallic plate, and a trough on the lower end of the plate. said trough adapted to receive liquid.

3. An electrode comprising a metallic plate, and a trough turned up on the lower end oit the plate and adapted to receive liquid.

-l-. An electrolytic cell comprising a body :tion having a liquid chamber and openin the walls thereof, a plate electrode osed against said openings and having per orations 'therein through which the liquid is adapted to pass. and a trough at the bottoni the electrode adapted to receive` liquid.

in eleetrolytic cell comprising a body portieri having a. liquid chamber and openings in the walls thereoii, a plate electrode disposed against said openings and haring ilia'iiorations therein through which the liquid is adapted to pass, and a trough turned up on the lower end ot the electrode and adapted to receive the liquid.

G. An electrolytic cell comprising a body portion having a liquid chamber and openings in the walls thereo'li, a plate electrode disposed against said openings and having` perfora'ions therein through which the liquid is adapted to pass, and a trough turned up on the lower end ot the electrode trom the metal oiC the electrode and adapted to receive the liquid.

7. An electrolytic cell comprising a body portion having a liquid chamber and openings in the walls thereof, a plate electrode disposed against said openings and having perforations therein through which the liquid is adapted to pass, a trough at the bottom oi the electrode and adapted to receive the liquid, and a plate spaced from the electrode to iorm a chamber therein, the lower end oiI said plate adapted to dip into the liquid in the trough7 said plate being` iastened along its other edges to the body portion to make the chamber gas tight.

8. An electrolytic cell comprising` a body portion having' a liquid vchamber and openings in the walls thereof, flanges on the upper lateral edges ot' the body portion, a plate electrode disposed against said openings and having' perforations therein through which the liquid is adapted to pass, a trough at the bottom of the plate electrode adapted to reM ceive tho liquid, and a second plate spaced from the electrode and havingv its lower edge dipping' into the trough, said second plate being` Jfastened to the {langes :nd to the body portions along' its other edges to term a gas-tight chamber between itself and the plate electrode.

9. An electrolytic cell comprising` a body portion having an electrolyte chamber within the body portion, portions of the top tace ol: the body portion being out away to provide passages extending into the electrolyte chamber, a plate adapted to be fastened to the top tace of the body portion to close the cut-away portions, and an electrode supported on said plate and extending` into the electrolyte chamber.

l0. An electrolytic cell comprisinga body portion of impervious material, the top and side faces of said body portion being` cut away to provide openings therein leading to the electrolyte chamber, a plurality ot' electrodes extending into the electrolyte chainber, a plate supporting' said electrodes and forming a closure for the openings in the top face or" the body portion, and means lor detachably fastening` said plate to the body p orti on 1l. An electrolytic cell comprisingl a body portion otl impervious material, the top and side faces of said body portion being; cut away to provide openings therein leading; to the electrolyte chamber, a plurality of electrodes extending` into the electrolyte chamber, a plate supporting said electrodes and forming a closure for the openings in the top tace of the body portion, means for detachably Yfastening said plate to the body portion, and a. second electrode disposed against the openings inV the side wall or' the body portion and spaced apart troni the lirst electrode and the body ot' the electrolyte within the body portion adapted to form a current path between the electrodes.

12. An clectrolytic cell comprising a body portion of impervious material and having an electrolyte chamber within and a slot in the upper tace ot the body portion connecting with the electrolyte chamber, a metallic plate adapted to close the slot, and a plurality ot electrodes supported from said plate.

13. An electrolytic cell comprising a body portion having an electrolyte chamber'therein and a passage cut in the top face of the body portion leading to the electrolyte cha-mber, a partition wall extending between the end walls of the body portion and separating tie passage into two narrow slotlike portions, a plurality of electrodes disposed Within these slotted portions and coperating with the electrolyte, a plate supporting the electrodes in each ot said slotted portions,

' and means for detachably 'fastening the CJD plates to the body portion whereby the slotted portions are closed, said plates beingl adapted to be removed with the electrodes from the wall and replaced thereon in reverse position to reverse the relation of the eleotrodes with respect to the walls of the body portion.

lil. An electrolytic cell comprising a body electrode to the side walls of the body por- Y tion may be reversed.

15. An electrolytic cell comprising a body portion having an electrolyte chamber therein and openings in the top and side portions ofthe body portion leading to the electrolyte chamber, an electrode disposed in one of said openings and extending into the electrolyte, a secondV electrode disposed against another of said openings with an edge thereof spaced apart and adjacent an edgeof the )first-mentioned electrode, means for supporting the first-mentioned electrode and closing the openings in the body portion through which V it extends, and means for removably fastening said supporting means to the body portion whereby thesupporting means and the first-mentioned electrode can be removed from the body portion .and inserted therein in reverse position sothat the relation of the first-mentioned electrodeand the second electrode can-be reversed at will.

JOHN CRANSTON.

WILLIAM D. LE BAR. 

